Tech Play 4

I chose Option 2 for this assignment of Tech Play 4. I explored several tools involving technology that would be helpful and useful in the classroom.

Lumosity is a website that I found that involves brain games and brain training. The purpose of the site is train memory and attention, and deals with five different sections: Attention, Flexibility, Problem-Solving, Speed, and Memory. The age range for this site is set for 16 years old and older, although in doing research with the site, I found it to be true that any age in elementary and junior high and above may, in fact, benefit from the tools this website offers. I am focusing on Special Education in my teaching career and so I was thinking that this site would be GREAT for kids who deal with ADHD.

Another tool I found and navigated was an app for a technological device such as a smart phone, computer, or tablet. It's called Read Me Stories and it was created for a much younger age group than the previous tool I discussed. This app is free for devices and is a library that is compiled with dozens of sample books in a library. The different books are categorized according to theme and touching the characters expands the storyline. This allows smaller children who are unable to read yet, to begin the primary stages of learning to read by mentally putting the picture and the word together. I have a 2-year-old nephew that likes this app, but it is still a little advanced for him. However, it does help him with memory, picture recognition, and letter sounds.

I am very interested in Sign Language, as I have taken several classes over the years, beginning in childhood and spanning to college. I would love to incorporate Sign into my classroom, especially if I am able to work with Special Needs students like I am working toward. I believe that tools such as this app that I have found will come in handy, as they would be able to use it at home to practice with, or in the classroom during class. This particular app is called Signing Time ASL and can be purchased for $2.99 on technological devices. Scientific studies suggest that the earlier a child is able to communicate, the more easily he or she will adjust to the world around him or her, and ultimately, perform better in school and so on. The benefit of using this app is that it's merely a Sign Language dictionary containing 145 flash cards used to jumpstart the learning process for young children. This is focused on more of the younger population as a general rule, but can also be used for older students as well.

The last tool I researched for this assignment was one called Quick Graph. I was particularly interested in this one because it's for High Schoolers and it involves Math and can be used with Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. When I was in High School, I was not good at Math. For class, we were encouraged to purchase graphing calculators, such as a TI-83, but this app seems to offer everything the calculator does, plus more. We didn't have iPhones or anything like it back then, but now, I think this is a great opportunity for anyone in Math classes. Most kids already have tablets or smart phones. They could easily have access to a great tool to help them learn!

The way that each of these educational tools would fit into the TPACK model is that each of them individually and uniquely incorporate Pedagogy, Content, and Technology. In the previous paragraphs, I briefly highlighted each one, explaining a background of these topics. Each of the tools would be beneficial to students, of any age, at home while working on homework, or in the classroom working on individual work or class work as a group.

Creativity Tools

I looked high and low this week in search of various creativity tools that would come in handy in the classroom. I tried out several free apps myself, had my husband try some, and even had my 2 1/2 year old nephew try some. I had a lot of fun with this assignment. Finally, I decided to settle with creating a short Children's book in video form. You will find the link below.

http://animoto.com/play/tTYSmVillSFe8Azg911N1A

The importance of various creativity tools is endless in the world of educational technology today. There are pros and cons, just like with everything, but after researching and studying, and being a current student myself, I see that the positives far outweigh the negatives regarding the subject on Creativity Tools in the classroom. They really give students, regardless of age or subject matter, a new/different way to learn, an outlet to express themselves, a break from the classroom, and the list goes on.

E-Portfolio: The Beginning Stages

https://sites.google.com/site/mrswhiteseportfolio/

2nd Educational Post..Creating an Eportfolio...

11-13-2013
Creating an Eportfolio... 

When I first was to begin on this assignment, I had no idea what an eportfolio was. I know what a portfolio is and actually had one in Cosmetology school and have one accompanying my resume for my career in the counseling field. However, an eportfolio is different in the way that it is displayed online. Eportfolios are used mainly by teachers, but by students also. Eportfolios are "dynamic, developmental spaces representing your professional self on the web...They are becoming standard practice for academics, students, and professionals and typically include examples of skills and achievements, as well as a reflective blog element."

Blogs, I understand. I love to write, so I believe that in this class and in the future as the teacher of a classroom, I will implement blogging into my daily or weekly routine. I believe it can be a main aspect of an Eportfolio as well, benefiting the students greatly. 

ETEC 524: My First Educational Blog...

I cannot figure out how to set up a new Blog on my new computer, as I have no figured out how to use it 100% yet, so I will write blog posts on my existing blog...at least, for now. I hope that's okay!

Since I attended the first workshop in this alternative certification program, I have been very interested in starting a blog as a teacher in the classroom. It was a major topic of discussion during that workshop and needless to say, it peeked my interest. 

Blogging is a popular way of keeping record of things on what is like an online journal, to share posts with others. As a student growing up, I never experience this until college, when a few of my professors used a blog to update students on ongoings in the classroom or changes to the syllabus. Just like with anything, it has its pros and cons. 

I would be very interested in putting a blog to use in a junior high or high school classroom. Blogging in the classroom can engage students who are not particularly interested in reading or writing. If this is a grade, it may spark their interest and cause them to do it simply because it's online rather than just picking up a book and reading it. Along these same lines, the teacher could post incentives on the blog or even encouragement to keep students interested. If students are having to blog themselves, some people may say, it's not teaching them to spell because the computer has spell check, or it's not teaching them to write and work on their penmanship. A counter reason for these two issues would be that the teacher disables the spellcheck feature on the blog and encourages students to check their own spelling. Also, while it does not necessarily allow students to work on their penmanship, it does however allow them to work on their typing skills. Again, pros and cons.

 Secondly, most of these students' parents are at work all day, and each of their jobs, has a computer or they have access to the internet on their phone. Parents will have simple and quick access to their children's grades, homework assignments, etc.
As a teacher, I believe I will utilize blogging as much as I will incorporate it into the students' learning and assignments, if not more.